Book Review: Black Throne Conspriacy by K.M. Johnson-Weider

To move ahead in life easily many will follow shortcuts, often using bad advice or methods. When these methods or advice cause terror and grief to others, is it too late to change? Does the guilt rest only with the party that agrees, or does the requester share some as well?

In Black Throne Conspiracy by K.M. Johnson-Weider, we follow the exploits of Sir Cobran Deritha. An army hero, he returns home with a shattered leg only to find a series of odd events occurring that put his family in jeopardy. He is forced to travel to the capital city only to find that his brother has arranged an engagement to a woman he has never met. His sister has foreseen a young noble woman will cease to exist, and asks for his help. Now his cousin is convinced that Cobran is the only one that can save him from ruin. As the events begin to play out, each separate from the other, Cobran begins to find faint seams tying the events together in a strange dance of danger. Behind the scenes an evil is at work that was thought to have been destroyed. Can he find the answers before the dark evil can create the events that threaten the entire galaxy?

Johnson-Weider has created a complex world and filled it with characters that we are comfortable with. Some are selfish and immature, others are strong and bold, but each hold flaws that can seriously twist their sanity. Cobran is a hero, one part damaged, two parts confused, three parts champion and four parts Sherlock Holmes. He is willing and mostly able to tackle the danger, but his injury creates difficulty.

Those involved in the conspiracy of evil are caught, in some cases, against their better judgment. Can Corbran extricate them from their dangerous decisions or is it already too late? Will he be able to save the young noble woman? His companions and friends are a fun and eclectic group, and he brings them in to help him keep watch on her. His sister is another force to be reckoned with, working mysteriously in the background making things happen.

The world of Ascension Galaxy is interesting and consists of many differing places. While we hear mostly of the Concordance, there are other powers within the galaxy that also have a stake in the happening of Corbran’s world.

This is a complex work, and to miss a section you may miss an event. If you enjoy science fiction and fantasy you will enjoy the worlds and the interesting mix of technology and archaic means. If you enjoy conspiracies, a bit of romance, suspense and a bit of magic, than this work will be what you need.

I enjoyed the story and the background, and once immersed found the work hard to put down. It would be a good read for a book club as well as a reading group. There is a great deal of discussion rendering actions that would keep the readers at full tilt.